Friday, June 22, 2012

UK Edition - Fabric Shopping in London


So while in merry old England, I of course had to avail myself of the fabric shopping options... On June 1, 2012 I had a wonderful several hours alone in London to explore the fabric and haberdashery options. 

I started on Berwick Street where I visited Cloth House and Misan Textiles.



 Cloth House is, quite frankly, the most adorable fabric store I have ever visited.  I had a beautiful variety of fabrics and the atmosphere was amazing.




Misan Textiles was a bit more polished, but less charming.  However, I have a sneaky suspicion that if I lived in London, Misan's discount tables would be my regular fabric haunt.




 All of this fabric was on sale and they seemed to offer the best prices for basics and solid colors. 

I also stopped by the haberdashery department of John Lewis... The fabric selection is overpriced and nothing to write home about but they had a fantastic selection of yarn and I had to restrain myself from going on a bit of wool bender.  Ultimately I had to acknowledge how rarely I finish a knitting project and content myself with buying fabric from...


Liberty! Seriously, I didn't really buy the hype until I showed up in person.  Yes it is expensive.  Yes it is old fashioned.  But Liberty really does sell some beautiful one-of-a-kind prints and even their cheapest options are demonstrably high quality.  I was initially concerned about buying cotton instead of spending more to pick up silk, but this is cotton with the drape and softness of silk... worth it.  I've already turned my Liberty purchase into a breezy sundress...  Tune in tomorrow to see!


Thursday, June 21, 2012

Sewing in Style... UK Edition (part 1)


So we got back from Englad about two weeks ago and the most important news about that?  The dress for the wedding was finished in time to wear it.



I hemmed the darn thing on the train.  Given that I am fatter than my dress form, it wound up a few inches shorter than I would have liked and the right side seam was still slightly wonky, but I felt pretty, recieved compliments, and nobody said those dreaded words: "oh, did you make that yourself?"


Next up: Fabric Shopping in London and Dorset Buttons!